Bueng Chawak Zoo faces budget shortage for confiscated wildlife

Khaosod•Society•18m ago

Reader Briefing

Bueng Chawak Zoo manages 454 confiscated animals across 53 species but reports a budget shortfall for their care.

•Montri Khaengkhetkan reported on November 13, 2026, that the center cares for 454 confiscated animals of 53 species.
•The budget increased from 3.5 million baht per year to 4 million baht for the 2027 fiscal year, but remains insufficient.
•Bueng Chawak Zoo collected approximately 4.4 million baht in revenue from 170,000 visitors last year.

Overview

•The Bueng Chawak Wildlife Management Development Center currently cares for 454 animals spanning 53 different species.
•The budget for the 2027 fiscal year was increased to 4 million baht from the previous 3.5 million baht, though Montri Khaengkhetkan stated it is still insufficient.
•The Bueng Chawak Wildlife Management Development Center will submit requests for additional support from relevant departments.
•Since 2012, Bueng Chawak Zoo has gradually accepted large confiscated animals, including 6 tigers and 3 lions.
•Staff at Bueng Chawak Zoo begin work at 06:00 to prepare tiger and lion cages for tourists by 08:00.
•Last year, Bueng Chawak Zoo recorded approximately 90,000 adult visitors and 80,000 child visitors, generating 4.4 million baht in revenue.
•Montri Khaengkhetkan stated that animals seized by court order are cared for permanently by Bueng Chawak Zoo without being returned to original owners.

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Key Quotes

Montri Khaengkhetkan

"For confiscated wildlife with former owners, once the court orders seizure, Bueng Chawak is authorized to provide permanent care without returning them to owners or breeding them in cages."

สำหรับสัตว์ป่าของกลางที่มีเจ้าของเดิม เมื่อถูกศาลสั่งยึดมาแล้ว ทางบึงฉวากจะเป็นผู้รับมอบอำนาจในการรับมาดูแลต่อแบบถาวรโดยไม่มีการส่งคืนเจ้าเดิม และไม่มีการนำมาผสมพันธุ์ภายในกรงแต่อย่างใด

Key Entities

Place

Bueng Chawak Zoo(สวนสัตว์บึงฉวาก)

A zoo that provides permanent care for confiscated wildlife.

Bueng Chawak Non-Hunting Area(เขตห้ามล่าสัตว์ป่าบึงฉวาก)

A wildlife sanctuary headed by Montri Khaengkhetkan.

Organization

Bueng Chawak Wildlife Management Development Center(ศูนย์พัฒนาการจัดการสัตว์ป่าบึงฉวาก)

The center responsible for managing 454 confiscated wildlife of 53 species.

Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation(กรมอุทยานแห่งชาติ สัตว์ป่า และพันธุ์พืช)ℹ️

The government department overseeing the Bueng Chawak Wildlife Management Development Center.

Person

Montri Khaengkhetkan(มนตรี แข็งเขตการณ์)

Chief of the Bueng Chawak Non-Hunting Area and Chief of the Bueng Chawak Wildlife Management Development Center.